While waiting for a response to her request to the ADD, Triella continues to run her information network from the Star Dancer.

Several things would become clear to her unknown stowaway during the days that pass.

The girl is definitely more than she seems, and while she did not exactly lie to him during her 'capture' - she was also less than completely honest as well.

The woman is not an ADD agent, but she does have ties and contacts within the Directorate - but she also deals with the Alliance. She is an independent agent - an information broker - and her search for her sister, seems to be sincere, since she goes over every report she gets following any lead that might even vaguely match the description of the girl in the picture.

Pieces fall into place - her ship, her business, her search - all of it. Her ship isn't just named the Star Dancer - Triella herself is THE Star Dancer - quite possibly the most well known, and the most mysterious independent broker in the Galaxy.

No wonder she was so sure she could get an ADD agent for Lurp. Of course, knowing her identity now, would also suggest just how formidable this young woman is - given that almost all of the information that the Alliance has on the Dancer appears to be MISinformation.

Days pass - when finally a message is received on a scrambled private channel. "Starlark - Tarola Club. Siwenna, Eromin IV. 38."

The gypsy notes the information, and changes her vessel's course for Eromin IV. Siwenna is one of the largest cities there. "38 hours? hmm.. I should just be able to make it.." she murmurs as she researches the Tarola Club and the layout of Siwenna.

Apparently she'll meet her contact there - and then she'll learn what she can about Meric Legarath.

Cities were always troublesome. People have a tendency to stare at things they consider odd or perhaps even appealing. Siwenna was no different in that aspect for Agent Iria. The busty agent walked the streets in her full black latex suit. Her massive breasts bounce only slightly with each step as the suit kept them compressed to a still rather large E cup. The luscious woman would have no doubt been approached by man and alien alike if it were not for the large warhammer that was strapped across her back.

Her task was definitely a boring one. She was to act as a messenger to an information broker. Iria merely needed to provide a disc of data in return for another at the designated meeting place. A simple in and out mission.

Ariving at Tarola Club, the large bouncer at the door took a look at Iria but did not bother asking for any identification. Seems looks are enough. Of course he was looking for other reasons as he moves to say something to her. Iria's eyes narrow as her hand reaches back, gripping the end of her heavy hammer. Clenching his teeth, he got the message.

Iria took a quick look around at the club's activities. Drinking, music, dancing, nothing that really mattered to her. She made note of the other bouncers and purchased a drink from the bar. Finding an empty table along the wall, she has a seat while setting her hammer resting against the wall. Sighing softly, she looked forward to being done with this and moving on to more eventful missions.

If lying in wait disguised as part of the ship's floor for days on end bothered Lurp, it didn't show, if there was one thing he could do well, it was hide and wait. The attempt by the gypsy woman calling herself "Lark" to track down her sister was very thorough indeed. In fact, the tenacious pursuit of every possible angle and lead very much reminded Lurp of his own days in the Bismoean military. His job as an assimilator had often required him to blend in with the locals for months on end waiting, listening, and searching for any tiny scrap of information or chance to cripple the opposition. He had been the best there was and patience and tenacity had been his greatest allies.

Nostalgia for his past life was not the only emotion stirred within him as he observed the woman. Her ability to stay three steps ahead of the Alliance was impressive based on how much she dealt with them directly. Her involvement with the Directorate gave her enough of an edge in support but also insured her freedom to do as she wished. However, her uncanny knack to play both sides against the middle for her own means without being tagged and blacklisted by either side ignited a fierce respect within Lurp, as well as a boiling frustration.

This woman had existed and operated on the edge of both organizations for an indeterminate amount of time, and yet here she was, still freely chasing down her own personal objectives seemingly oblivious to the dangers of operating on the razors edge between Directorate and Alliance. Her competence flew in the face of his own failure to avoid detection by the ADD, as well as his arrogance for turning down Alliance participation on the basis that he was ex-military of the great Bismoean race...he was too good for them.

Possibilities of sabotage played through his jealous mind. Her freedom largely depended on information and being able to obtain rare bits of it for both ADD and Alliance. If she were outed to one side or the other her operations would become much more difficult. At best the Directorate would cut her off, and at worst the Alliance would hunt her down.

His scenarios and machinations were cut short as a notification from the Star Dancer chimed throughout the ship.



Eyes on the prize. He thought to himself as the ship began descending towards the world and shake in the violent atmospheric friction. This agent had to be captured for him to have any hope of mainframe access, making an example of Lark for his own pleasure was a distant distant tertiary objective.

((FYI - my main computer died over the weekend. Until I get it fixed, I'm going to be a bit slower than usual because it's not as easy to work for long periods with my laptop. Sorry I'll try to reply ICly soon.))

((FYI - I just got my computer up and running again today.
I'll be trying to catch up on all my posts tomorrow. Again, my apologies for the delay and thank you for your patience))

As the Dancer prepares to land, Triella makes her own preparations for the meeting - and she demonstrates another of the talents that has allowed her to keep the precarious balance in dealing with both the Alliance and the Directorate.

Lurp has seen her as the innocent, but impetuous young girl.. he's seen her as the clever and calculating broker. Now he sees her in another guise as she prepares for Siwenna.

She goes to her chamber, and dresses herself in a set of lacy black panties, and then puts on a set of sheer 'harem' pants that do nothing to hide the lacy undergarment. The light lavender of the fabric only picking up and emphasizing the dark complexion of her skin underneath, which of course makes her torso seem even lighter in comparison.

Topless, she goes and puts on a very delicate bit of makeup to her eyes and lips.. and then lets her dark hair fall loose about her body, all the way to her knees. She moves with a grace and sensuality that demands attention, and promises sexual ecstasy.

She dons the same belt of gold discs that she had used as weapons against Lurp and pulls out a star-shaped medallion which bears the image of a nude ballet dancer. She puts the necklace on, letting the medallion hang between her exposed breasts, before going to a cabinet, and opening it out to draw out some intricate gold chains. Slaver chains, in fact. The kind of delicate looking chains that are used to adorn sex slaves - decorative, but biometrically locked so that only the slave's owner can remove them. And Tria begins to fasten the chains to herself - a collar at her neck, linked by two chains to wrist shackles, and then she adds a pair of ankle shackles as well. The chains do little to hinder her movement (although a full run would be difficult for her) - but the cleverness of this appearance becomes clear.

She wears slaver's chains - so of course she is a slave. As such, no one will question her or think of her as an intelligent person. She is a toy, a doll, following instructions because she has been told to.

She is owned - so other slaver's will not touch her, knowing that to do so could bring down the wrath of her owner, and perhaps the Alliance for disrupting their trade. The chains are biometrically locked - and no one would ever dream of testing to see if the SLAVE herself was the one who owned the chains.

It's so simple - and yet the business of slavery is so ingrained into the society that no one has ever imagined this kind of deception could be perpetrated - or that anyone would willingly put themselves into such a role. And yet Tria slips into the role of mindless, sensual plaything with amazing ease.

She may not be the shapeshifter that Lurp is, but in her own way, Triella is as much a chameleon as the alien is.

She just finishes her preparations as the Dancer makes final preparations for arrival on Eromin IV. Upon landing, it is a simple matter for Triella to give the necessary papers to the dock master, and to avoid any questions with a simple smile, and subtle sensual shifts of her body that leave the man flustered and distracted.

She makes her own way to the Tarola, drawing a lot of attention as she moves through the streets and crowds - and she does not react at all as several men arrange to "bump" into her and grope her as she walks.

She slides past the bouncer, and enters the club. The gypsy has such an aura of exotic sexuality that nearly every eye in the room turns to her as she walks in - taking in the half-naked woman, before recognizing the slave chains she wears. Chains that manage to deflect unwanted attention almost better than Iria's hammer. The slave moves silently through the club, under watchful eyes before approaching the seated agent.

"The hammer is a bit obvious, don't you think?" she says as she sits down across from the busty agent. "I believe you have a message for Starhawk?" she murmurs in a soft husky tone.

Iria's eyes narrow as a harem girl suddenly sits down at her table. If her hammer did not bring enough eyes to her direction, this half nude woman did. As if they really needed more attention to this corner she sat at.

"And your outfit isn't?" she replied, pulling out a small disc and setting it on the table, "This should have the location of the person you asked for. I do not know it's contents as that is not my role in this so do not bother asking." The ADD agent stuck to business and her mission. It was not her first time seeing a slave woman though it was her first time dealing with a free agent. People with no loyalty to anyone are the most dangerous types. There was no reason to trust this one and saw no reason to prolong any dealings with this nearly nude woman.

"If there is nothing else, I will take my leave. You will provide the usual payment through the usual routes was what they told me," stupid secretive talk, it annoyed her to no end. Taking a look around the bar, she gives the gypsy woman a final look before rising to her feet. She hated these types of missions. Smashing aliens and slavers were more her thing.

Tailing Triella off the ship had been simple enough. Following her through the city and getting into the Tarola Club in human guise had been a bit trickier, but now that he was in the club, Lurp found himself stumped.

Triella and the new agent had already begun their dealings and if he didn't act soon the window of opportunity would close. It would be a simple matter to simply follow the agent back to her ship but he didn't want to lose his leverage and access to the Star Dancer and her pilot so easily.

Time to make a gamble. Lurp thought to himself as he noticed the agent place a data disk on the table they were speaking at.

Quickly ducking into an unused restroom stall, Lurp formed himself to appear as his alter-ego Purl, complete with bartender's uniform of the Tarola Club. This will have to do. he thought to himself as he moved towards the two women quietly conversing in the corner. Stopping by the counter on his way there, he grabbed a couple of glasses and filled them with the closest pre-mixed cocktail on hand, than grabbing a napkin he quickly scrawled a note on it.



As "Purl" approached the table in the corner she quietly cursed this makeshift plan. There were too many unknown variables involved. Triella would undoubtedly recognize her from their meeting on the station and make some kind of connection based on the hastily scrawled note, she was counting on that much, but how would she react? Would she side with agent and try to slip away in public where he could not act against them? That would be problematic if this unnamed agent called for backup. Or would she work towards Lurp's goal and try to lure the agent away?

No time for half-measures and weak resolve now... Purl thought as she set the drinks down on the table leaving the napkin with the note discreetly in front of Triella. As she arrived the agent stood up as if to leave but hesitated slightly as the drinks reached the table. Making eye contact with Triella for only a brief moment, Purl moved back to the counter and pretended to be busy, all the while watching the two in the corner...waiting to see what would happen next.

Triella gives a gentle smile as she notices the disdain Iria shows as she approaches. Typical Directorate. she thinks to herself, pleased that she can pursue her goals her way, rather than theirs.



Tria gives a melodic laugh at that. "Oh please, don't give me that. You're an Agent - surely you've had to question people at a place like this before. Do you really believe that anyone else here is going to look at me as more than slave chains and a pair of breasts, let alone be able to describe my face?" she murmurs with a confident smile.





Tria slides the data-chip that Iria provided her off the table, where it disappears into some hidden pocket inside her belt. She looks up briefly when Purl shows up.

Somehow she isn't surprised to see Purl - as her mind quickly puts together some of the pieces that had been in the back of her mind. The note only confirms what she had just figured out. She gives no sign of recognizing the other 'woman' though. The only reaction she gives is a mild glare as she discards the note she was given, and turns back to the agent.

"They didn't tell you anything, did they?" she asks with a bit of annoyance. "Typical. Before you go, you might want to peruse this. I assume you have a scanner on you?" she says as she slips another data chip back to the agent.

It did not matter to Iria whether they were spotted or not. That was what the hammer was for. It would at least provoke a fight and then thoroughly beat the tar out of all the criminals and slavers that happen to attend this bar.

But since she was having no such luck, the busty agent was ready to leave. It was only when Tria slides a different data chip back to her did she stop and sit abck down in her chair.

"Tch," she replied, "There was no reason to tell me anything. I am just the gopher in all this."

Taking a small scanner from her belt, she puts the chip inside. After pressing a few keys, the device powered up and began to read the data that may be on the chip. This better be worth her time.

For the moment it seemed like the agent would not be leaving. Triella had recognized him almost instantly but her reaction seemed almost measured.

Doubt crept into Lurp's mind as continued to wait and see what would happen. Perhaps he had forced his hand too soon. Perhaps the new data chip she had just provided the agent was a full report on him.

There were too many unsavory possibilities to just be waiting around, but despite that, Lurp was still unwilling to make a move in public without the knowledge of what Triella's true intentions were.

The only advantage he had was that the agent was still oblivious to the fact that this game now included a 3rd player. It would not be easy to catch her off guard, especially if Triella sided with her. But whatever was going to happen, would most likely happen quickly, so Lurp gave himself a mental shake to settle down and continued waiting.

The gypsy/slave girl just settles back into her chair as Iria pulls out a data scanner, and inserts the data chip. She knows what it contains, so she concentrates on the agent, watching for her reactions at different points during the vid.

The scanner's vid turns on as soon as the chip is inserted.



the screen blinks and waits. All agents have their genetic code on record with the directorate. It is a precaution that is used to help verify the identity of agents, when facing shapeshifters. Genetic codes are the highest security level identifier in the Directorate. Only three people in the entire directorate have access to an agents Genetic code -- the chief director of the ADD, the director of ADD Medical, and the director of field operations - who is responsible for all active ADD agents.

What the hell is this slave/independent doing with a genetically encoded chip - one specifically meant for Iria? Whoever she is, this gypsy must be important to the Directorate for them to trust her with delivering this message.

Of course there is only one way to find out - and that is for Iria to enter her code with a drop of blood on the scanner.

Upon entry, the code is authorized, and the image of the director of field operations appears. "Agent Iria. I apologize for the necessity of keeping you in the dark prior to your arrival on Siwenna, but it WAS necessary. Your mission is not just to deliver the data chip that you were provided. You are to work with the contact who provided this message to help her question and apprehend Meric Legarath."

"We believe that Meric may already have been alerted to the new interest in him, and it is imperative that action be taken quickly, and that it be with proper legal authorization - which is one of the reasons your presence is required."

"Your mission is three-fold."

"First - assist in the apprehension and interrogation of Legarath."
"Second - provide any additional information to the contact that may provide information relevant to her mission."
"Third - If there are any attempts made to interfere with either of these missions, you are to stop them and apprehend all sentients involved."

"You are not to contact the Directorate or make any reference to this mission or your contact on anything less than a Level 9 secure channel, Agent Iria. Good luck."

And the video goes blank.

When the message is complete, Triella just smiles at Iria. "Ready to begin?" she asks simply.. although there is just the slightest trace of a smirk on her face.

If there were any questions or feelings of shock for how secure this chip was, Iria was not showing any. Fingerblades suddenly extend from under nails which she uses one of to make a tiny cut on her finger. Pressing her blood against the scanner, the data was suddenly revealed to her by the director himself.

Seems her mission was growing more interesting by the moment. Capturing one guy should not be too difficult for her. She did not know why there is a need for so much secrecy though or why they needed this outsider's help. Iria was completely on her own on this, not that she would ask for the ADD's help anyway.

Putting the scanner away, she looks at Triella. "Should I assume you know where this Legarath is? Seems the ADD is leaving me blind in this. Is there anything else I should know before we go?" she asks. Even there was no information for her, it would not matter in the end. She would happily bust some heads until she happens to find the person they were looking for.

Difficult as it was to hear exactly what the agent and gypsy were discussing, their body language did not suggest any plotting. In fact the agent seemed more at ease after receiving the information from the data chip.

Passing by their table in the corner on his way out he managed to catch a small bit of their conversation before leaving the club.



As he passed through the doors on his way out he considered his options carefully. The agent's ship would have the access he needed, but he'd need time to observe her before attempting a hack. Judging from the tone and direction of their conversation Triella intended to enlist the agent's help tracking down the lead he had dug up for her back on the station, with the ADD providing the information on that particular slaver's whereabouts it would only be a matter of time before the two of them found him.

Ducking into an alley and reforming his shape into that of a nondescript human, Lurp returned to the front of the Tarola club and waited for the two women to exit. There was no more need to stow-away on the Dancer, he had to change ships and gather some more information from the agent. Legarath...I believe it was. Lurp mused to himself. He had never met the slaver and only heard his name in passing a few times. It would be difficult to get to him before the two women and obtain any sort of leverage over Triella if he didn't even have the information they had, but then again he wouldn't need it if he could access the ADD mainframe.

Leaning candidly against a wall across from the club he watched the entrance with his best disinterested gaze.

Triella barely glances up as the 'waitress' that had brought there drinks passes by again, but she does note that the woman seems to leave the club.



The gypsy 'slave' turns her attention back to the busty agent with a smile. "I do now." she says with a confident air as she holds up the data chip that Iria had provided.

"I would suggest we examine this somewhere more private though. Is your vessel fit for rescue service? Can it transport or tow a one-man scout ship? If so, I would suggest that our ships rendezvous for the journey."

The gypsy visibly gives the agent an appraising glance.. especially noting how the agent's garment seems so tight across her large breasts, a knowing smile appearing on the gypsy's lips.

"We should leave together after all.. someone might notice if a pleasure slave were offered to someone, and was then refused." she says simply - although her eyes suggest that 'maintaining cover' is only part of her interest in accompanying Iria.